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Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse

Adults who experienced abuse as a child can often feel isolated and alone, unable to talk to friends or family about how they feel. In Ireland currently, the publication of reports such as the Ryan Report and the more recent Murphy Report can be very difficult and painful for anyone who has tried hard to forget their own childhood experiences in an institution or at the hands of nuns, priests, brothers or anyone else working in the catholic church. Abuse is not always sexual, it can be physical, or emotional, or some combination of these three elements. Neglect is also a form of abuse, and many people who were brought up by people away from their family, may continue to suffer emotionally even now simply because they never felt loved as a child.

The publication of the Ryan Report and the Murphy Report by the Dublin Diocese are traumatic events for many who were abused by priests, nuns, brothers or someone working for the catholic church. Many people who were abused have never spoken about their experiences and their families and friends may have no idea about their hurt and pain.

The publication of these Reports and the high profile media coverage it receives affects many adult survivors of child abuse. It brings back painful memories of a time in their lives they have tried hard to forget, and move on from.

There is support and help available for anyone who experienced abuse in an institution, in a catholic school, church, hospital or any other facility run by the catholic church. We can provide you with all the information you need, and there is no obligation on you to do anything with that information until you are ready.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by Clerical abuse in the past, either by a member of the religious or by anyone connected with the catholic church, you or they should be able to access counselling with a fully qualified and accredited therapist who is convenient to them, and the cost of this therapy can be covered by an organisation called Faoiseamh. ( http://www.faoiseamh.comfor more info). One of our therapists, Siobhan Galvin, is a registered therapist with Faoiseamh and can provide this support. Please feel free to make a confidential call to Siobhan on 086 8258519 to arrange an appointment at our centre in Sandyford. There is no obligation on your part to do anything more until you are ready, but we are always available to advise and inform you of how the process works. Faoiseamh has an extensive network of therapists throughout Ireland, visit their site for more information or you can email us in confidence and we will be happy to help you find out more.

If you were abused by someone else not connected to the catholic church, we can provide counselling for you, or advise of other organisations who may provide free counselling. Currently these include the National Counselling Service (www.hse-ncs.ie) and One in Four. (http://www.oneinfour.ie). Please be advised that there are usually waiting lists for free counselling with these organisations.

Quote from Abuse Survivor"I always felt that I was like a sort of Martian - I wasn't from this planet. I was never meant for this earth. And I was waiting to die, basically, just waiting for the day. And I couldn't relate to anybody. I felt so inferior and all the negative things, you know, so unworthy. But now I know that I'm alright". (Veronica*).

Reaching out for help in overcoming the effect of childhood abuse is hard. You might be worried about what a therapist will think of your story. You may feel very ashamed or guilty about what happened, or perhaps you worry about other people in your life finding out about something you have kept to yourself for a long time. None of this is the case. Our service is confidential and safe. It is a place where you can tell your story and be heard, without being judged. You will never be asked to go any further than you are ready to with any part of the therapy process. We are here to support you in whatever way you need in order to move forward to a better way of living.